Argon is mostly obtained from fractional distillation of liquid air. Air contains approximately 0.934 % Argon. When cooled to very low temperatures, the various constituents of the air condense to liquids at different rates, and they can be separated. Air is first filtered and compressed to about 200 atmospheres.

The compressed air is then cooled in stages until it liquefies. The liquid air is then fed to a distillation tower where the different components are separated based on their different boiling points. Argon boils at -185.9 °C, so it is collected in the upper part of the tower.